Author: vcczar

*This election was updated by the Historical Scenario Commission on August 15, 2017, and can be downloaded here: United States – 1876 v 2.0

The 1876 election is one of the most controversial elections in history. Reconstruction was winding down, which meant the Southern White conservatives were regaining political power from the Northern Republicans, and some African-Americans, that had replaced them following the Civil War. As such, many of those in power prevented African-Americans, and even White. Meanwhile, the Republican party was accused of controlling the election in the South, partially through the governors still in place from Reconstruction. This lead to a constitutional crises called the Compromise of 1876.

However, leading up to this election, the main issue was whether or not President Ulysses S. Grant would run for a 3rd term. Most people expected him to run, but his advisers convinced him not to, as James G. Blaine’s Half-Breed (moderates) seemed set to win, due mostly to Grant’s corrupt administration. With Grant out of the picture, Democrats expected to have their first shot at the presidency since the 1856 election, and only four years after the Democratic Party’s collapse in 1872. It should be noted that this election takes place 100 years after the founding of our country.

For Republicans, James G. Blaine emerged as the new front-runner. However, he had his own scandalous past that would not be overlooked. Benjamin Bristow promised to be the reform candidate, as he had helped Grant clean out much of the corruption in his administration. Oliver P. Morton and Roscoe Conkling ran as the Radical Republican options, which still wanted to punish the South. Other candidates contested the nomination as well, but the most promising is Ohio governor Rutherford B. Hayes, who was a known reformer and moderate.

The Democrats, emboldened by the reestablished former Confederate base, decide to nominate conservatives for their ticket. The nearly unanimous top choice is Bourbon Democrat Samuel J. Tilden, a strict constitutionalist, pro-business, pro-Gold Standard democrat from New York. The two distant rivals are main-line Democrat Thomas Hendricks and the politically ambiguous Civil War general Winfield Scott Hancock. Other candidate are also in the race, but have an uphill battle.

The Greenback Party led by the wealthy industrialist, Peter Cooper, is the 3rd party option. Although from New York City, his base is mostly in the Midwest and West.

This election allows for many what-if scenarios:

• What if President Grant decided to run for a 3rd term, despite being advised not to?
• What if Civil War general and Vermont Senator Ambrose Burnside decided to be the Republican military officer option for the presidency?
• What if Civil Rights activists pushed Frederick Douglass to run?
• He received some token delegates in later ballots for the Democrats, what if Conservative Democrat Allen G. Thurman had made an effort to run for the presidency from the beginning?
• What if two recent former nominees, Civil War general George B. McClellan and Horatio Seymour, attempted to run for the nomination again?
• What if the Southerners pushed two former Confederates for the Democratic nomination? Both Civil War general John B. Gordon and former Confederate VP Alexander Stephens were sitting US politicians during this election.

Feedback is desired.

*This election was updated by the Historical Scenario Commission on Aug 15, 2017. It can be downloaded here: United States – 1880 v 2.0

This election takes place at an early stage of the Gilded Age. Corruption, currency and the tariff were major issues. Also impacting this election is President Rutherford B. Hayes fulfilling his promise to serve only one term. His election in 1876 resulted in a compromise, as the election was close enough that many Democrats felt it was stolen from their candidate, Samuel J. Tilden. As such, integrity became a key issue as well. This election also marks a point in which many former Confederate officers and politicians were elected as US politicians.

The Republicans, with Hayes declining to run for reelection, were split between the Stalwarts (Conservatives) and the Half-Breeds (Moderates). former president Grant is urged to run for a non-consecutive 3rd term by the Stalwarts, and he start off as the front-runner. His primary challenger is James G. Blaine, who leads the Half-Breeds. Both of these leaders have had a history of corruption. Therefore, the alternative choice is former Senator John Sherman, the brother of General William T. Sherman. Other candidates also make an attempt for nomination. However, there is a rising Dark Horse candidate named James A. Garfield who seems likable by all sides.

The Democrats want their 1876 choice, Bourbon Democrat (Conservative wing) Samuel J. Tilden, to run for the nomination again. He declines, leaving an open field. The front-runner is Civil War general Winfield Scott Hancock, who appears to be something of a moderate Bourbon Democrat. His main competition is Bourbon Democrat Thomas Bayard. A field of many other Democrats along the political spectrum run for the nomination as well.

The Greenback party is the 3rd party for this election.

This election allows for many what-if scenarios:

• What if Rutherford B. Hayes runs for reelection? Can he launch a strong campaign when he has broken a promise to stay out of the race?
• What if a relatively politically inexperienced Benjamin Harrison ran for election?
• What if Robert Todd Lincoln had been pushed to run in 1880 to cater to Abraham Lincoln nostalgia?
• What if Civil Rights activists had pushed Frederick Douglass to run?
• What if Samuel J. Tilden had agreed to run for the nomination again?
• What if General George B. McClellan attempted another run now that he has political experience?
• What if former nominee Horatio Seymour chose to run again now that the political climate allows for a Democratic victory?
• What if former Confederates pushed for a Southern alternative for a Democratic nominee by supporting Civil War Generals John B. Gordon and Joseph E. Johnston or former Confederate Vice-President Alexander Stephens, all of whom are now sitting US politicians?

Feedback is desired.

*This election was greatly updated by the Historical Scenario Commission on August 21, 2017, and can be downloaded here: United States – 1884 v. 2.0

This election took place in the early stages of the Gilded Age. Railroad regulations, currency reform, tariff reform and civil service reform were key issues. The sitting president, Chester A. Arthur, had become president on the assassination of James A. Garfield. His presidency upset many in his own party and his reputation as a lazy administrator also did much to hinder a strong reelection campaign. As such, he faced many challengers. The Democrats also liked their chances of finally defeating the Republican party.

For Republicans, James G. Blaine, the leader of the moderate Republicans, known as “Half-Breeds,” was the front-runner. They favored a more bipartisan platform, but Blaine still suffered from a poor reputation due to previous scandals. The incumbent president was the favorite among former “Radical Republicans,” which were more conservative economically, but also more in favor of enforcing Civil Rights in the South. Many other major candidates such as George Edmunds, John Sherman, John Logan, and Joseph Hawley hope to win the nomination.

The Democratic front-runner is the popular Bourbon Democrat (fiscally conservative and strict constitutionalist), Grover Cleveland. His personal integrity was high, but rumors of a child out of wedlock negates what could have been a great strength against Republican front-runner Blaine. Cleveland faces challenges from other Bourbon Democrats, as well as Populist Democrats and Southern Democrats.

The Greenback Party led by Benjamin F. Butler and the Prohibition Party led by John St. John

This election has man what-if scenarios:

• What if General William Tecumseh Sherman had not refused to run for president?
• What if General Philip Sheridan had agreed to run?
• Robert Todd Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln’s son, was urged to run. What if he had?
• What if Benjamin Harrison ran for president 4 years earlier?
• What if Walter Gresham had run 4 years earlier?
• Former President Rutherford B. Hayes fulfilled his promise to not run for reelection in 1880. What if he ran in 1884 after sitting out for a year?
• What if former president Ulysses S. Grant had run for president despite failing health. Could he rally the conservative wing of the party so that they can defeat the Half-Breeds?
• What if Civil Rights activists pushed Frederick Douglass to run for president?
• Samuel J. Tilden nearly won the election of 1876. With the platform of the Bourbon Democrats at an all-time high, what if this early proponent of the platform ran again, despite failing health?
• What if former Confederate general Wade Hampton ran as the nominee of Southern Democrats?
• What if Richard P. Bland, the leader of the Silverites, ran as the nominee of Western, Populist Democrats?
• What if former general George B. McClellan ran for the nomination again after having served as a governor. Can he win the nomination two decades after he secured it in 1864?
• Can former general Winfield Scott Hancock win nomination in 1884?
• What if populist James B. Weaver challenged Benjamin F. Butler for the Greenback nomination?

Feedback is desired.

*This scenario was greatly updated by the Historical Scenario Commission on August 21, 2017 and can be downloaded here: United States – 1888 v. 2.0

This election takes place in the Gilded Age of American history. Grover Cleveland is the incumbent president. Despite building a strong economy, his severely pro-business policies have alienated rural and labor voters. Will Cleveland’s lack of interest in leading his own party as a harmonious unit hurt him in the election or will the country’s economic success land him four more years?

For the Democrats, even the unhappy Southern and Western Democratic leaders reluctantly supported Cleveland, despite his unwillingness to compromise on his Bourbon Democratic positions.

For Republicans, the field is wide open. Front runner, and last election’s nominee, James G. Blaine, the leader of the moderate Republicans has declined to run for president. This leaves John Sherman, the brother of General William T. Sherman, as the new front runner. However, Russell Alger, Walter Gresham and many others have many supporters. A quasi-dark horse is former senator Benjamin Harrison, the grandson of a former president.

The Prohibition Party is the 3rd party option. General Clinton Fisk was a civil war hero, civil rights activist and a prohibitionist. Can he expand the party?

The scenario allows for many what-ifs:

• What if Grover Cleveland’s nomination was contested? Several politicians that were former Confederate generals can try to deprive Cleveland of the nomination. These include Simon Boliver Buckner, John Brown Gordon, Wade Hampton, Fitzhugh Lee and William Henry Fitzhugh Lee.
• What if John Quincy Adams II, son of an ambassador and grandson and great-grandson of two presidents, tried to run for president? Can he gain traction outside of Massachusetts?
• What if pro-Silver Democrat Richard Bland ran for rural voters out west?
• What if the leader of the moderate Republicans, James G. Blaine had run. He was the presumed front runner.
• What if Rep. William McKinley did not refuse to run?
• Two sons of presidents were pushed to run, but did not. What if Robert Todd Lincoln and Frederick Dent Grant ran for the presidency?
• Former slave and civil right orator Frederick Douglass received some token delegates in 1888. What if civil rights activists supported his running for president. Could he become the first African-American president?
• The Greenback Party declined to run a candidate in 1888. What if they had run James Weaver again?

Note: endorsers will also mention if a politician was a Civil War hero for the enjoyment of Civil War buffs that might play this game. This was done in the 1892 scenario as well, and will be done in the elections between 1864-1892.

Feedback is welcome. Updates and improvements will eventually arrive.

*This scenario was greatly updated by the Historical Scenario Commission on August 24, 2017. It can be downloaded here: United States – 1892 v. 2.0

The 1892 election takes place during the Gilded Age, when the major political topics were bimetalism, tariff reform and corruption. President Benjamin Harrison is the incumbent president; however, his first term has been somewhat unpopular among those impacted by the very high McKinley Tariff (named after the future president).

For Republicans, the establishment is rallying around President Harrison, but he faces many delegates from his party hoping to dump him in favor of other popular candidates. Former Republican nominee, and leader of the moderate Republicans, James G. Blaine is one of the “Dump Harrison” candidates, while Governor William McKinley is the favorite “Dump Harrison” nominee among more conservative Republicans.

The Democrats have their own problems. A former president, Grover Cleveland, is the favorite among the conservative and pro-gold, Bourbon Democrat faction, which supports businesses, while pro-Labor, pro-bimetalism Democrats favor Horace Boies. In addition, David B. Hill hopes to be a reform option and Adlai Stevenson is a pro-silver choice for some delegates. Two Bourbon Democrat leaders, John Carlisle and Arthur Gorman, hope to take the leadership position from Grover Cleveland.

The election has a strong third party in the Populist Party, led by James Weaver. The are pro-silver and pro-labor, and they have their support mostly in the West and in the South. Their numbers include many former Democrats and former Republicans. The Prohibition Party is the other third party in this scenario.

This election allows for many what-ifs:

• What if former speaker of the house, Thomas Brackett Reed ran?
• What if Abraham Lincoln’s son, Ambassador Robert Todd Lincoln, listened to his supporters and jumped into the race?
• Senator John Sherman, the brother of General William Tecumseh Sherman, was arguably the most powerful senator at the time, giving his name to the Sherman Anti-Trust Act. Could he be the moderate Republican needed to win the election? He declined to run in real life.
• Rep. Henry Cabot Lodge was the leading proponent for American imperialism. Can an aggressive foreign policy hawk win an election in 1892?
• Governor Robert Pattison was a popular, moderate Democrat. Could he hold the two wings of the party together?
• Richard P. Bland was the leading Silverite (pro-silver) Democrat in congress. Would he be able to win over Populists to the party, without losing Bourbon Democrats to the Republican Party?
• Leonidas Polk was the front-runner for the Populist Party, but he died. What if he had lived? Could he have increased the party’s fortunes?

Feedback is desired. Updates will be forthcoming.

*This election was greatly updated by the Historical Scenario Commission on August 24, 2017. It can be downloaded here: United States – 1896 v. 2.0

The 1896 election focused primarily on the Panic of 1893 financial crises. Unemployment was high and the economy was shaky. The incumbent Bourbon Democrat (Fiscally conservative, pro-Gold Standard) president, Grover Cleveland, decided not to run for a 3rd term, partially because he was becoming increasingly unpopular in the West and much of the South. The argument for improving the economic welfare of the people centered on silver and gold. Bourbon Democrats and mainstream Republicans, both conservatives, wanted a Gold Standard. Moderate Republicans and mainstream Democrats wanted both gold and silver to back currency (bimetallism). Populist Democrats and Republicans advocated Free Silver, as the believed silver, rather than gold, would increase their standard of living. All other issues were of secondary importance.

For Republicans, the mainstream element flocked to the popular and respected William McKinley of Ohio. However, he faced some competition from powerful Speaker of the House Thomas Bracket Reed, Pennsylvania party boss Matthew Quay, former Vice President Levi P. Morton and respected Senator William B. Allison. They embraced the Gold Standard. As such, many Silver Republicans voted Democrat.

The Democrats, rebuking President Cleveland, dropped the Gold Standard from their platform and embraced bimetallism. As such, all the nominees were pro-silver candidates. Richard “Silver Dick” Bland had a long history of promoting silver and was the favorite. However, 36-year-old William Jennings Bryan was the rising star of the party, as he condemned the Gold Standard by saying,  “you shall not crucify mankind upon a cross of gold.” Other leading Silverites competed. Overall, a fairly competitive convention. Gold Democrats either voted for McKinley or voted for the 3rd Party National Democrats.

This election has two third parties, both which were primarily single issue. The National Democrats tried to split the Democratic Party to prevent the Democratic silver platform. Their ticket included to ancient politicians: John Palmer and former Confederate General Simon Boliver Buckner, both in their 70s. The Prohibition Party aimed at passing prohibition laws.

The election allows for several what-ifs:

• What if former Republican president Benjamin Harrison ran for a non-consecutive second term? He left office unpopular, but with silver back on the table, could a silver-tolerant Republican with presidential experience get back in the office?
• As usual, Robert Todd Lincoln, the son of our great president, was pushed to run. What if he had?
• Henry Cabot Lodge of Massachusetts was the leader American Imperialist in the Senate, advocating expanding America’s military might and possessions. He was a mentor for Teddy Roosevelt and other politicians greatly in favor for war with Spain and the acquisition of territories outside the United States. What if he had run?
•  What if Grover Cleveland ran for a 3rd term? He would have received every Gold Democrat vote, but could he convince Silver Democrats that voting for him was the best bet to beat Republicans?
• What if Grover Cleveland had accepted the National Democrat nomination? Would a sitting president rebuke his own silver-happy party and run as a 3rd party for the proponents of gold? Can Cleveland do more than just split the Democratic vote?

Feedback is desired to improve the scenario.

*This scenario was greatly updated by the Historical Scenario Commission on August 28, 2017. It can be downloaded here: United States – 1900 v. 2.0

The 1900 election was a rematch between William McKinley and pro-labor, pro-silver Democrat, William Jennings Bryan. Both nominees were virtually unopposed. McKinley’s reelection seemed pretty much assured as the economy was strong and he had just won the Spanish-American War.

The election allows for some what-if scenarios so that these candidates face some competition:

• What if Governor Theodore Roosevelt attempted a premature run for president?
• What if leading progressive Republican, Robert La Follette ran against McKinley?
• What if wealthy, pro-labor publisher, William Randolph Hughes, ran for president?
• What if Grover Cleveland, the pro-business, pro-Gold Standard former president ran for a 3rd non-consecutive term?
• Admiral George Dewey, a hero of the recent war, wanted to run for president, but the media slammed him for his gaffes and his obvious political naivety.

Feedback to improve the scenario is desired.

*This scenario was greatly updated by the Historical Scenario Commission on August 28, 2017. It can be downloaded here: United States – 1904 v. 2.0

Theodore Roosevelt has finished most of slain president William McKinley’s term. And now he hopes to win election in his own right. Roosevelt’s presidency has been both peaceful and active. However, not everyone is happy. Democrats claim he is using too much executive power. While in his own party, conservative Republicans feel he is becoming too Progressive. A Drop Roosevelt movement was launched by conservatives under Roosevelt’s former campaign manager Mark Hanna, but Hanna died early in the election season. Now, Roosevelt runs unopposed and seems unstoppable. This election takes place in the Progressive Age.

As mentioned above, Roosevelt run unopposed.

For Democrats, two-time nominee and leader of the pro-labor wing of the party, William Jennings Bryan has decided not to run again. For pro-business (Bourbon Democrats), former president Grover Cleveland has ignored calls to run for the presidency again. Not a single major politician among the Democrats has decided to take on President Roosevelt. This leaves the field wide open. By default, the labor-wing rallies behind the wealthy publisher William Randolph Hughes. Bourbon Democrats flock to the front runner New York judge Alton B. Parker. Several other figures seek to become alternatives to these two men.

The Socialist Party is the 3rd party in this election with Eugene Debs as the nominee.

This scenario allows for several what-ifs:

• What if former Democratic nominee William Jennings Bryan ran for a 3rd time?
• What if former president Grover Cleveland went for a 3rd non-consecutive term in office?
• What if the former commanding general of the United States, Nelson A. Miles, listened to the calls to run for the presidency?
• What if Mark Hanna had not suddenly died and stood as the conservative option for Republicans?
• Former Hanna backers urged Charles Fairbanks to run. What if he had?
• Governor-general of the Philippines, William Howard Taft, was pushed by moderates to take on his friend, Theodore Roosevelt. What if he had?
• What if Robert La Follette had led Progressive Republicans in 1904?

Feedback to improve the scenario is desired.

 

*This scenario was greatly updated by the Historical Scenario Commission on August 29, 2017. It can be downloaded here: United States – 1908 v. 2.0

Theodore Roosevelt fulfills his promise to not run for a 3rd term. Roosevelt proved to be the most powerful president up to that time. The 1908 election takes place in an increasingly progressive era. Which candidate is the best to lead the nation after Roosevelt? The president’s handpicked successor is Taft, who seems nearly unstoppable in both the primaries and the general election.

For the Republicans, as mentioned above, Taft is the clear front-runner. However, he faces challenges from both the left and the right. Robert La Follette is the progressive icon of the party and hopes to improve upon Roosevelt’s progressive actions. Philander Knox is the favorite among more conservative Republicans. Other major candidates are the moderate conservative Charles Evans Hughes, Speaker Joseph Cannon, VP Charles Fairbanks, and a few favorite son candidates.

The Democrats are attempting to recover from a crushing defeat in 1904, when they nominated a conservative, pro-business (Bourbon Democrat) nominee, Alton B. Parker. They have now turned their eyes towards their two-time nominee, William Jennnings Bryan, the leader of the populist, progressive wing of the Democratic party. His only challengers come from two more moderate Democrats, George Gray and John A. Johnson.

Eugene Debs leads the Socialist Party.

This election allows for many what-if scenarios:

• What if Theodore Roosevelt broke his promise and ran for a 3rd term?
• What if Elihu Root, the brilliant cabinet member under Roosevelt, ran for the presidency?
• William Randolph Hearst was a pro-labor Democrat and the most powerful publishers in America. He would make an attractive alternative to Bryan among populists. What if he ran?
• What if the 1904 nominee, Alton B. Parker, tried to win with his Bourbon Democrat platform?
• What if Woodrow Wilson attempted to run for the presidency four years earlier? Can he win without gubernatorial experience?

Feedback and suggestions are desired to fix my errors and to make the game more enjoyable.

*This scenario has been greatly updated by the Historical Scenario Commission on October 8, 1956: United States – 1956 v.2.0

Eisenhower’s first term has ended and his reelection seems assured. However, his health is an issue after having suffered a heart attack the previous year. Many believed he would not run for reelection; however, in 1956, he declared that he would run. This election took place during the Cold War with a post-Stalin Soviet Union.

For Republicans, Eisenhower’s late entry into the race led to a few candidates having declared an intention to run. William Knowland and John Bricker were too conservative options for voters.  S. C. Arnold and Joe Foss were favorite candidate options. However, this competition appeared to be no threat to the president.

The Democrats had a much more varied field. Adlai Stevenson was the frontrunner in his renomination bid. The populist option was once again Estes Kefauver. Former president Truman supported Averell Harriman as a compromise choice. Various favorite son candidate, including Lyndon B. Johnson, joined the election.

The top third party was a very weak States’ Rights Party.

This election allows for many what-if scenarios:

• What if Harold Stassen once again ran as the liberal Republican option?
• Some pushed Herbert Hoover to run, despite the near quarter century since his presidency.
• Douglas MacArthur was still considered a candidate even though he was in his mid-70s.
• Henry Cabot Lodge was arguably the leader of the Eastern moderate establishment. What if he ran?
• Can Prescott Bush be the first Bush president?
• What if Harry S Truman attempted a comeback?
• Byrd, Kerr, Russell and Fulbright could have been Southern options for the Democrats.
• Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jr. had some supporters among those nostalgic for the FDR presidency. What if he had run?
• John F. Kennedy was a VP option in 1956. What if he had run for the presidency?

Feedback, along with any suggestions to remedy any problems, is desired.